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B. S. MCCUTCHEN AND H. E. WILLIAMS.

' v APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING ROTARY MOTION.

APPLICATION FILED NQV, 2. 1918.

1 322,3 1 9. Patented Nov. 18, 1919. -67 3 SHEETSSHEET x.

Smvewtom B. S. McCUICHEN AND H. E. WILLIAMS.

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING ROTARY MOTION.

. APPLICATION FILED NOV, 2. I918. 1,322,319.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919'.

3 SHEETS-SHEI Z.

Snow Wow B. S. McCUTCHEN AND H. E. WILLIAMS.

APPARATUS FOR'REPRODUCINQ ROTARY MOTION.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHET 3.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.2,19l8.

'BRUNSQN SEl -EPSON 11 322 319 I Letters Application filed iiovcnibsr f3, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Bnnnson Siarrson' Mcfin'rorrnn and HAROLD Enwnnn VV'IL- LIAMS, citizens of the United States residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Apparatus for Reproducing Rotary Motion, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to electrical apparatus for causing rotary motion-oi a body or member, to be reproduced in a remote inemher or body.

The invention comprises broadly two rotary members-a transmitter and a recarver-remote one from the other, and electro-rnechanical connections between the two members whereby rotary movement of the transmitter is communicated. to the receiver by means of electrical impulses.

The object of our invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive apparatus capable of accurately indicating or reproducing in a member clockwise or counter-clockwise rotary motion of a distant member.

In the. accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of the transmitter showing the parts in normal position or at rest;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4: are fragmentary detail views showing the transmitter in different positions;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the receiver;

Fig. 6 is an edge view of Fig. 5 wlth the solenoids removed; 3

Figs. 7 8 "and 9 are fragmentary detail views of the receiver in difi'erent positions; and

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the transmitter and receiver and electrical connections therebetween.

Referring more specifically to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 denotes what may be termed the transmitter and 2 the receiver.

The transmitter comprises a pair of spa'ced ratchet Wheels or toothed disks 3 and 4 fixedly mounted upon a shaft 5 in turn rotatably supported in a base plate or other suitable support 6. These disks are similar in size and shape with the exception that their respective peripheral teeth 7 and 8 are oppositely disposed or cut. The distance between the teeth of each disk or in segmental shaped periphery Patented Nov. 118. 19119.,

serial No. QQQSW.

other words the angle subtended by any one of he teeth will represent the least angle or rotary movement which it is desired to transmit.

9 represents a rocking guide plate pivoted to the base plate 6 at 11 through which slides a pawl 13. The pawl 13 which is slightly ofiset at its free end is normally held in engagement with the teeth of the disk 3 by springs 15 and 16 in an obvious manner. Sliding movement on the return stroke of the pawl 13 through the guide openings 19 in the plate 9 is limited by the stop pin 21 coming in contact with the flange 23.

As the shaft 5 is rotated in a clockwise direction, either by hand crank or by other means the pawl 13 is pulled through the gulde plate 9 against the tension of coil spring 16, the action of spring 15'insuring close contact between the pawl and ratchet wheel during this movement.

When the ratchet wheel has been rotated a distance equal to that of the space between two teeth the pawl 13 slips oil the of the particular tooth 7 engaged thereby and is drawn back toFig. 1 position where it is picked up by the next or adjacent advancing tooth. It will be understood that during the advance movement of the pawl 13 the cam projection 27. does not engage the roller 25.

During the latter or return movement of the pawl 13 the roller 25 mounted on one end of a rocking arm 26 is engaged by the cam projection 27 formed on the pawl thus accomplishing a purpose about to be described.

The arm 26 is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 28 to the base plate 6 and carries at the nd opposite to the roller 25 a contact spring 29. A coil spring 30 secured to the base plate 6 at one end and to the arm 26 at its other end normally maintains the arm against the stop 31 and maintains the point 32 of the contact spring out of engagement with the point 33 of the electrical contact member or pole piece 34.

When the cam projection 27 engages the roller 25 the arm 26 is rocked on its pivot 28 against the tension of spring 80 causing the points 32 and 33 to contact. As the pawl 13 is drawn back to its original or Fig, 1 position by spring 16 the cam 27 moves out of contact with the roller 25 permitting the spring 30 to oscillate the arm 2'6 and break contact between the points 32 3 plate 9' and 33, thus completing the clockwise cycle of operation of the transmitter. The period of duration of this contact being controlled solely by the action of spring 16 and by the contour of the teeth 7 and shape of the cam 27 is entirely independent of the speed with which the disk 3 is rotated. It may also be noted here that electric contact is not effected until the transmitter has been moved to the point when the pawl has been entirely disengaged from the tooth whlch has been advancing it.

The mechanism just described will transmit clockwise motion only to the receiver in a manner hereinafter explained.

In order to rotate the receiver in a reverse or counter-clockwise direction and thereby reproduce corresponding counter-clockwise movement of the transmitter, a duplicate set of transmitter parts is provided on the opposite side of the transmitter disks, identical with those previously described. While the cycle of operation of this set of transm tter parts is identical with the cycle described and it is believed will be readlly understood from the foregoing the following brief explanation thereof is given.

When the transmitter disks are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction the pawl 13 is carried outwardly or forwardly through the guide plate 9, by the teeth of disk 4. Continued rotation of the disk 4 causes the pawl to ride off the tooth with which it engages whereupon the spring 16 returns the pawl to its original position or Fig. 1 position. During this return movement the cam projection 27 engages the roller 25 carried by the arm 26', rocking the latter on its pivot 28 and causing the contact points 32 and 33' on the pole piece 34 and the spring 29 respectively to make contact. A spring 30 normally maintains the arm 26' against the stop screw 31' in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 while the spring 15 rocks the guide on its pivot 11 and holds the pawl 13 in engagement with the disk 4. The stop 21' on the pawl engages the flange 23 of the plate 9 and servesto limit the withdrawal of the pawl through said plate.

The cycle of operation just described causes the receiver to rotate in a} counterclockwise direction a distance corresponding to that of the movement of the transmitter disks as will be presentl described.

In practice we have ound that the pawls 13 and 13' are apt to wear, due to constant engagement with the teeth of the disks or ratchets 3, and 4 and when this occurs one of the pawls, for example pawl 13, is apt to become disengaged before the disk or ratchet 4 has been advanced to the proper position to be engaged by the pawl 13'. Premature disengagement of the pawl, obviously results in lost motion and consequently movement of the transmitter will not be accurately realso liable to occur should there be any slight inaccuracy in shape or size of the parts men-- tioned. We overcome this difliculty by providing a lever 18 pivoted to the base plate 6 at 14. Should the pawl 13 slip off the tooth of the disk or ratchet 3 prematurel the pin 12 on the end of the pawl 13 won d engage and rock the lever 18 on its pivot. The other end of the lever 18 then comes in contact with a pin 12' carried by the pawl 13' slightly advancing the latter as seen in Fig 1.

he receiver 2 comprises a pair of spaced ratchet wheels 35 and 36 fixed toa shaft 37 having its bearing in a. base late 38 or other suitable support. The ratciiet teeth 39 and 40 are oppositely disposed, as is true of the transmitter. A lever arm 41 rotatabl mounted on the inner end of the shaft 3 ad acent the ratchet wheel 36 carries at its free end a awl 42. This pawl which is in the form 0 a bell-crank lever is pivoted to the arm 41 at 43, one arm 44 of the pawl belng adapted to engage one of the teeth 40 of the ratchet Wheel 36 while the other arm 45 thereof oscillates between two stops 46 and 47 on the end of the arm 41.

When contact is made between the points 32-33 during the clockwise rotation of the transmitter disks, the circuit of relay 63 is completed by the following path: battery 65, conductor 68 contact 33, contact 32, conductor 67, winding of relay 63 and conductor 69 to the opposite side of battery 65. The operation of the relay 63 in attracting its armature 64 in turn completes by the following path, the clrcuit of the solenoid 49, the core 50 of which is connected to one end of a rod or the like 52 in turn connected to the arm 45 of the pawl 42 as at 51: battery 62, armature 64, contact of relay 63, conductor 48 windlng 79 of solenoid 49, conductor 61 to the opposite side of battery 62. (It will be understood that an electric magnet, could be readlly used in lieu of a solenoid). The w nding of the solenoid, thus becomes energized and the core 50 will be drawn into the solenoid thus rocking pawl 42 On its pivot 43 until the arm 45 rests against sto 47. Further movement of the core will cause the lever arm 41 to rotate clockwise about the shaft 37 or axis of the receiver, thus bringng the arm 44 of the'pawl into engagement with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 and causin the latter to also rotate in a clockwise direction.

The condensers 66 and 66 are for the purpose of reducing the spark caused when contacts 32, 33, 32' and 33 disengage.

When contact is broken between the points 3233 of the transmitter a coil spring 53 first moves the arm 45 of the pawl 42 against the stop 46 and then returns the lever arm 41 and the solenoid core 50 to the Fig. 5 posituberance or contour 60 tion. If another electrical impulse is sent over the circuit to the solenoid hie to the continued clockwise rotation e transmitter, the receiver is again rotated in the same direction in the manner i' ously described.

The degree of clockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 36 is limited to one tooth by ah escapement lever 54: pivoted to the base plate at 55. A. compression spring 56 maintains the offset hooked end 57 of this lever against the stop 58 and in engagement with or in the path of rotation of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 35 before the finger 59 on the pawl .42 has traversed the cam shaped proof the escapement lever. During the period of time whi"h the finger 59 engages the cam portion 6-9 and while the lever arm 41 is at rest, the end 57 of the escapement lever is moved out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 39. The escapement lever 54 is held out of engagement with the teeth 39 of the disk 35 during the time the finger 59 traverses the cam protuberance 60 of the escapement lever 5-1. p

This permits the disks 35 and 36 to be rotated. The end 57 of the escapement lever 54: does not limit the rotation of the disks 35 and 36 in a clockwise direction, as the end 57 of the escapement lever 5% is forced out by the sloping edge of the advancing tooth 4E0 of'disk 36 against the action of the spring 56. After the finger 59 has passed over the cam-protuberance 60 of the escapement lever 54, the spring 56 returns the escapement lever 54 to its Fig. 5 position, with its end 57 in the path of the advancing tooth 39. It will thus be seen that it is impossible for the receiver to advance a greater distance than one tooth due to its inertia. It will also be understood that when the receiver is inthe Fig. 5 position it is locked against rotation in either direction by the escapement levers 54.- and 54.

Theoperation of the receiver for counterclockwise rotation is the same as that described for clockwise rotation, there being a duplicate set of receiver parts previously described. However, this operation may be again briefly described as follows:

\Vhen the transmitter 1 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and contact is made between the points 3233 the circuit of relay 63 is completed by the following path: battery 65, conductor 68, contact 33, contact 32, conductor 67', winding of relay 63 and conductor 69 to the opposite side of battery 65. The operation of the relay 63 in attracting its armaturefis in turn completes by the following path the circuit of the solenoid49', the core 50' of which is connected to one end of a rod or the like 52 in turn connected to the arm 51' of the oawi 42 V f I I as at 51 battery 62, armature (3% contact of relay 63, conductor 48 winding ?9 of (f3 Li) solenoid conductor 61 to the opposite side of battery The winding of the solenoid e9 thus becomes energized and the core 59 is drawn inward, rocking the pawl 42 (which is pivoted to the lever 41 43) on its pivot and causing the arm 45 to move from the stop 1-6 to the stop l7. Continued movement of the core 50 causes the finger 59' on the arm 44: of the pawl to ride over the cam projection 60' of the escapement lever 54, permitting the latter to be rocked on its pivot 55 by the coil spring 56'. The lever arm 4-1 the pawl in a counter-clockwise direction by virtue of the connection between these parts and the rod and spring connection 5253' existing between the core 50' and the pawl. The arm 44: is now moved into engagement with a tooth of ratchet wheel 35 advancing the latter one tooth in a counter-clockwise direction thus reproducing corresponding movement of the transmitter, the offset end 57 of the escapement lever preventing spinning of the receiver in an obvious manner.

'Upon breaking of the contact between the contact points 32'-33' of the transmitter, current ceases to flow to the solenoid 49' and the spring 53 of the receiver returns the parts to Fig. 5 position. It will thus be seen that no current flows through the circuits while the transmitter is at rest. This cycle of operation is completed as often as contact is made and broken between the points 3233' and an impulse sent or interrupted over the wire.

It will be noted that where the minimum angular movement which it is desired to transmit is so small as to necessitate a large number of teeth on the disks 3 and land thus make it difficult to give the individual teeth the proper contour the same result may be obtained by gearing up the shaft 5 so that it may be rotated at any relative speed to a driving shaft (not shown).

The receiver may be geared up in like manner, it so desired.

WVhile we have shown but one receiver it will be obvious that any number of receivers remote from one another may be actuated by a single transmitter.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have devised a. very simple and efii'cient apparatus for reproducing rotary motion.

Having thus described our invention, what. we clalm is:

1. A. device of the type described comprising a pair of'ratchets revoluble in two directions, a pair or pawls engaged by said ratchets, pivoted contact elements included in an electric circuit controlled by-said pawls for imparting electrical impulses, and means on gaged bysaid pawls, compensating for inaccuracies of manufacture or wear of said ratchets.

2. A. device of the type described comprisis now moved, together with ing a pair of ratchets revoluble in two directions, a pair of pawls engaged by said ratchets, contact elements included in an electric circuit controlled by said pawls for imparting electrical impulses, and means 00- operative with said pawls adapted to compensate for inaccuracies of manufacture or wear of said pawls or ratchets.

3. A device of the type described com- Brising a pair of ratchets revoluble in two irections, a pair of pawls engaged by said ratchets, contact elements included in an electric circuit controlled by said pawls for imparting electrical impulses, and means cooperative with said pawls comprisi a centrally pivoted lever engaged by sai pawls to compensate for inaccuracies of manufacture or wear of said pawls or ratcliets.

In testimony whereof we aifix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

BRUNSDN SIIPSON IGCUTCHEN. HAROLD EDWARD WILLIAIS.

Witnesses:

K. L. MILLs, E. J. Samar. 

